SEAL Charged With Selling Stolen Military Weaponry

UPI

A Navy SEAL based in Norfolk, Va., has been arrested on accusations he sold stolen military weapons online and out of his home, military investigators say.

Petty Officer 2nd Class David Karl Becker faces charges of theft and sale of government property, engaging in a firearms business without a license, possession of stolen explosive material and possession of stolen ammunition, the Virginian-Pilot reported Thursday.

Becker, 23, is being held without bond.

His arrest came after a confidential informant told the Naval Criminal Investigative Service about Becker's operation. Investigators located an M18 yellow smoke grenade for sale on gunbroker.com that appeared to have come from a shipment intended for a naval unit in Virginia Beach.

An undercover NCIS agent contacted Becker in early November and purchased two grenades for $500, court documents said. The agent later returned and paid $1,025 for 200 rounds of armor-piercing ammunition and two gas masks, which Becker said were issued only to special operations personnel.

The agent said he also saw at least 10 weapons Becker was trying to sell from his home. Becker allegedly said he had "a ton of guns" to sell.

Navy records indicate Becker enlisted in August 2009 and finished SEAL training in September 2012. In October 2012, he was assigned to the East Coast naval special warfare unit.